Naval Oceanographic Service, Boat Ops. Br. Pass Christian, MS - Military Installations on Waymarking.com

Boat Operations Branch Moves Into Permanent Facility

By Shannon Breland, Naval Oceanographic Office Public Affairs

PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. (NNS) -- The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) cut the ribbon to its $2.1 million Boat Operations Branch in the Pass Christian, Miss., harbor on May 7.

The branch, which was located in Gulfport prior to Hurricane Katrina, has been operating out of a trailer in the harbor's parking lot since May 2008.

Navy personnel expected to move into the 1700-sq. ft. building in December 2008. However, six months into the building's construction, Pass Christian, a town leveled by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, was severely impacted by Hurricane Gustav and, later, by Ike. Flooding at the harbor washed away the Navy's pier, four boat slips and the original temporary trailer.

"We did encounter a few weather related setbacks, but that didn't stop us," said Capt. Jim Berdeguez, NAVOCEANO's commanding officer. "We were determined to be part of the rebuilding of Pass Christian."

The Pass Christian location of NAVOCEANO's Boat Operations Branch is ideal because of the different types of water environments within the area, from fresh water rivers and brackish marshes to sandy shoals and deep salt water channels.

"Our ships remain forward deployed throughout the year," said Berdeguez. "The training and live equipment testing conducted along the Gulf Coast prepares our oceanographers for vital survey operations they will conduct in a variety of environments around the world."

The Boat Operations Branch's four permanent personnel maintain and operate three main sea vessels, which act as training platforms for military and civilian oceanographers.

Oceanographic surveyors use a variety of high-tech oceanographic equipment to gather data about the water column and seafloor to support Naval forces around the world. The boats, ranging in length from 16 to 46 feet, are also used to test and evaluate equipment that will eventually be used on the seven oceanographic ships operated by Military Sealift Command for NAVOCEANO.

Comprised of approximately 1,000 military, civilian and contract personnel, NAVOCEANO is responsible for providing oceanographic products and services to all elements within the Department of Defense.

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